The three people accused of murdering four children in a petrol bomb attack on their house while they slept have appeared in court court together for the first time.

Demi Pearson, 14, her sister, Lacie, seven, and their eight-year-old brother, Brandon, died in the blaze in Greater Manchester the early hours of Monday morning.

The children’s youngest sister, Lia, three, died as the result of her injuries two days later. Their 35-year-old mother is still fighting for her life in hospital.

The three alleged arsonists appeared in the glass-panelled dock of Manchester Crown Court today, flanked by eight dock officers.

Worrall, who grinned during his first court appearance, again smiled in court today during proceedings.

Zak Bolland, Courtney Brierley and David Worrall (left) to right are charged with murder over an arson attack which killed four children in Greater Manchester this week

The three spoke only to confirm their names and addresses. No pleas were entered

They were brought to Manchester Crown Court today and will go before a judge this morning

The three defendants spoke to confirm their names, addresses and nationality. There were no applications for bail and the trio were remanded in custody.

Bolland and Brierley, both of Walkden, previously appeared before magistrates when Lia was still fighting for her life.

Yesterday Worrall, of no fixed abode, was produced at the city’s magistrates’ court after he was charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

All three were remanded in custody and will appear in the dock together on Friday for a preliminary hearing.

The victims’ mother, Michelle Pearson, 35, is seriously ill in a coma and is unaware four of her children are dead.

Emergency services were called to the family’s mid-terraced home in Jackson Street, Walkden, shortly after 5am on Monday.

Three-year-old Lia Pearson (left) died 48 hours after the blaze. Her older sister Lacie (right), seven, was killed in the blaze when petrol bombs were thrown into the family home

Brandon Pearson, eight, and Demi Pearson, 15, also died in the horrific blaze this week

Two 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also in the house when the blaze broke out but managed to escape before fire crews arrived.

Three petrol bombs are believed to have been thrown into the house before 5am on Monday morning – including one down the chimney. Demi, Brandon and Lacie died at the scene.

Lia Pearson was rescued from the burning terraced house in the Walkden area after fire bombs were thrown at the front door, through a window and down the chimney.

But after 48 hours in intensive care the little girl was allowed to ‘pass away peacefully’, her grandmother has revealed.